Smart Car Care

In an announcement made on March 2006, Kia Motors Corporation, the maker of Kia cars, announced official plans to build a $1.2 billion assembly and manufacturing plant in the United States. The location has been confirmed as West Point, Georgia and will serve as Kias first manufacturing plant in America. The first Kia cars to roll off of the assembly line are said to begin production in 2009.

When operated at its maximum capacity, the new Kia cars facility is expected to create approximately 300,000 brand new automobiles every year. In addition, this new construction will provide an additional 2,500 jobs and will be situated on 2,200 acres.

According to president and CEO of Kia Motors America J.H. Lee, “The decision by Kia Motors Corporation to build a manufacturing plant in the United States demonstrates their confidence in our ability to further grow sales in the North American market. He added, “The plant is an important development to support our sales goals over the next decade.”

A dedicated Kia cars corporate campus is currently under construction in Irvine, California. With an anticipated opening date of December 2006, this new facility will feature a 65,000 square-foot design center. Over the past four years, Kia Motors has invested over $300 million in America. Among the results are a state-of-the-art research and development center located in Michigan, along with a custom-built vehicle facility in California.

Since debuting in the American market, Kia cars has expanded to a complete product line of vehicles and have watched their company thrive during the 12 years of consecutive sales records, which continue to this day.

Kia Motors Corporation, the maker of Kia cars, is headquartered in South Korea. However, through the development of Kia Motors America, Kia is able to offer a complete line of automobiles, including Kia cars, through well over 600 United States car dealerships. Said to be one of the fastest growing automakers in the world, Kia was founded in 1944 making it Koreas oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. Through the companys latest release featuring hybrid technology, Kia hopes to become one of the worlds premier automotive brands. With assembly and manufacturing operations in seven countries, Kia produces over 1.1 million vehicles each year, which are then sold through a network of dealers and distributors throughout 160 countries. With more than 32,000 employees and annual revenues topping $15 billion, Kia has found sponsorship to be an important part of its success. As a major sponsor to both the Australian Tennis Open and FIFA, the Kia Motors Corporation is planning even more changes in the years to come.

Car loans financing for people with good or less than perfect credit

Your vehicle is no more a talk of a town as it has become a basic need. Every year, various motor companies launch new cars to give the latest to their customers, who always look for scintillating yet attuned cars with innovative technology and sparkling designs. Things are changing for betterment so do our cars. Therefore, if someone wants to have a car, he can get it by offering the full price or he can opt for various car loans. Your credit score is one of the most vital factors to be considered during the processing of car loans. Its quite easier to avail a car loan if you have a good credit score, but even if you carry a bad credit history, you can easily go for bad credit car loans.

So, once a borrower make up his mind to opt for bad credit car loans, he can either go for secured bad credit car loans or unsecured bad credit car loans as per his financial capabilities and requirements. A borrower enjoys some significant advantages by procuring secured car loans like lesser interest rate, easier monthly repayment instalments, and gets a longer repayment time with supple terms and conditions. If someone is not capable to offer any collateral against the loan amount or willingly doesnt want to do that, as there is a grave risk of repossession, then he can opt for unsecured bad credit car loans. Here, a lender run the foremost risk, therefore, he charges high rate of interest and allows shorter repayment period.

Gradually a bad credit score has become a common thing in the huge UK lending market. This is not a stigma anymore, as more and more individuals are coming under this class. It might be possible for a borrower to get some supplementary benefits, while searching for bad credit car loans as lenders are battling hard to get more and more borrowers. Various loan offers can leave you perplexed. You can easily avoid any confusion by doing a thorough online research.

Most car buyers spend hours researching the makes and models of car before deciding which to buy. Then four out of ten rush out to the showroom and sign up for the car within 30 minutes of stepping inside.

But will their painstaking research extend to sourcing the cheapest finance package? Probably not. Whilst around 50% of new cars bought privately are purchased on finance, nearly 20% sign up in the showroom for the finance deal offered by the manufacturer. Unfortunately that could turn out to be a costly decision. With typical manufacturers finance costing 13.7% per year over a 3 year and including a 10% deposit, they could be throwing some 1,800 down the drain.

Take someone buying a new Renault Megane Sport Saloon Privilege 1.6 and let’s assume that it costs 16,000 on the road. Including 3 years interest that means the full cost will be 17,384. However, there is a much cheaper option. With a good credit history you could get a personal loan at only 5.5% and end up paying just 15,631 that’s a full saving of 1,753. This goes to prove the old adage that it pays to shop around. Rushing to accept the dealers finance package can hit your pocket hard it’s effectively giving back the discount we hope you negotiated!

OK, I can hear talking about the special finance offers that manufacturers are forever advertising. Yes, there are some really good deals – but always look closely. Some deals only relate to specific models with a set specification, often the cars that the manufacturers are having trouble shifting. A beware some deals have a sting in their tail. Take Volkswagens’ current offer on the Polo E2. Their deal is advertised at 5.8% with a monthly repayment of 99 over 35 months sounds a great deal but look more closely and you’ll find there’s a final balloon payment of 3,750 or alternatively you can trade in your E2 for another Volkswagen.

The car manufacturers use these deals to promote brand loyalty and encourage another purchase in 3 years time. They know that most cars will be traded in after 3 years rather than pay the large balloon payment.

Of course, personal loans and manufacturer’s finance are not the only way you could finance your car.

The traditional way to pay for your car is through hire purchase. With HP you pay a deposit, usually of at least 10%, or trade in your existing car for at least the same value, and then use HP for the balance of the price. The loan is then effectively secured on your car. So in practice, your car still belongs to the HP company until you have made your last monthly payment.

Then if you want to sell your car before you’ve completed the HP agreement, there will almost always be an early redemption penalty often up to three months interest. The HP company will also register its financial interest in your car with HPI the finance tracking agency. This effectively means that you will be unable to sell your car until you have paid off the HP loan.

Another alternative is Personal Contract Purchase, PCP for short, and in recent years PCP has become very popular. Here you also agree the mileage you expect your car to clock up each year. You then pay a deposit and part of the purchase price is deferred until the end of the agreed payback period. Your monthly repayments then repay the balance and the interest. These schemes are highly flexible as you can select the length of the loan and the size of the deposit but you’ll find that interest rates vary considerably between lenders. The current average is about 12.8% – still well above the 5.5% rate for a cheap personal loan.

At the end of the PCP contract you’ll have three options: –

Pay off the deferred balance and keep the car

Trade in the car using the trade in value to help pay off the deferred sum and hopefully leaving a balance towards a new car

Hand in the car and walk away with nothing more to pay.

This last option is always subject to your cars’ condition reflecting normal wear and tear and its mileage is in line with the annual mileage you agreed when you purchased it. If the recorded mileage exceeds the forecast mileage, then you’ll have an excess mileage charge to pay. The cost per excess mile will always be specified in the PCP agreement.

One of the big advantages of PCP is that the guaranteed buy back option effectively protects customers against excessive depreciation of their car.

As you would expect, car dealers take a commission for selling PCP contracts and to encourage you, you may find they’ll agree a bigger discount on your car if you take their PCP deal. If your lucky, they may even throw in a low cost servicing package or low cost insurance. But take care. You’ll need to do some homework to ensure that these extra goodies are truly worth the extra interest charged on the PCP contract.

Its too bad many people dont know about how to get the best auto loans. Businesses make a lot of money on what consumers dont know. These days no one has enough money that they can afford to get locked into a bad loan. In this article I hope to be able to help you pick the right loan for you.

Just going to a car lot and asking them to put together your loan for you is not the best way to do this. Lets start with that right away. Their job is to sell you a car and whatever loan they can get you that will achieve their purpose is the one they will try to get you to take. They want you to drive out with the car today.

You should negotiate your car loan before you make the actual deal to buy the car. Many people think these two things must occur simultaneously. Wrong. There are a lot of things you must decide before buying a car. One of those is how you are going to finance it, but lets explore all of things you will need to decide first.

Are you sure you know how much you can afford to pay for your new or used car? When you arrive at that figure, remember, you cannot spend all of what you can afford on the car payment. What I mean is this; say you can pay only $400 per month for your new or used car. That is your budget. How much of that goes to auto insurance? Subtract the cost of insuring your car. How much do you have left?

Now think about the interest on your car loan. How much of that will you be paying. You can estimate that based on the amount of car payment you are aiming at. Now how much is left of the original $400 per month you allotted for your new car?

If your budget for a new or used car was $400 per month, you really cant agree to payments of more than about $250 per month. The other charges and incidentals will bring you back up near the $400 mark you started with.

Now, if you are looking at new cars, is buying or leasing a better option for you? You will need to read up on both options before deciding what is right for you. Dont let the car salesman decide for you and pressure you into something that isnt what you need or want.

Loan calculators can be a big help. There are many on the internet, so be sure to find a reputable one. You can experiment with several options, and using a calculator will help you understand the whole process a little better.

They will even help you figure out how much you can afford to pay for a car. You may think you can pay more than you really can. This little tool will give you a reality check of sorts so that you do not get into a deal that is over your head.

So many people think they can afford more car than their budget allows and let it get them into credit and debt trouble. Doing your homework ahead of time and having a little discipline to stay within your means will keep you from having these problems.

You can use that tool over and over again, until you are comfortable making the decisions you will need to make when it comes time to negotiate with someone for the purchase of your car.

Remember, when you are the buyer, you are in charge, not the seller. If you have done your homework, you know how much you can afford, what type of loan you want, what terms you need, and all of the other details. Its their job to sell you a car that fits within the parameters you set.

The bottom line is do not buy more car than you can afford. Do not accept a car loan that is going to put you in a financial bind. Dont agree to a car loan just because the salesman tells you its the only one he can get you. Do your homework before you choose the car. Too many people choose the car they want, then go out and try to find a way to afford it. Thats putting the cart before the horse and a sure way to get you into debt trouble.

I hope this helps you open your eyes and prepare for a positive car buying experience. Buying a new car should be fun, just dont let the fun turn into worry down the road. I hope you find this article useful!

What To Know If You Are In The Market For A New Car

If you are in the midst of shopping for a new car then you need to know what you are doing. If you dont take the time to learn the ins and outs of buying a new car you are going to get taken for a ride, an expensive one.

Here are the top tips to make sure that you get a deal on your new car:

Find out what kind of car you are looking for

If you walk onto the lots with a clear idea of what you are looking for, you will be much less likely to get talked into a more expensive car. All of the car salesmen are going to be trying to get you to spend as much money as possible, that is what makes them the big bucks so keep that in mind. Know what you want and go for it and that is all. Dont look around and let yourself get too tempted by other cars or vans that you know you cannot afford.

Shop around

You should always shop around for the best possible deals on the kind of car or truck that you are looking for. This is the only way to get a deal that will save you some serious cash. With the money that you save you will be able to get some extras on your car if you want to, like air or a better stereo system.

Think about used vs. new cars

Think about if you really want to get a brand new car. These cars lose a massive amount of their value as soon as you drive it off of the lot. This money is not money you can get back even if you sell it right away, it is just gone. By purchasing a new car you will be able to get a car that is just as wonderful but that cost a significant amount less.

Buying a car is a big deal and it is one that you need to think about and plan for. This is the best way for you to get the car that you want while saving some cash at the same time.

There is no other exciting fun in the town than the late night street car racing. You are probably among the street cars racers who are in love with racing and money making. Though street car racing is illegal in countries, but who can stop the fans. Several street car racers dump their old cars and search for new and better racing cars. If you are one street racer who wants to dump his old car and import a street racing car, its time you act with maturity and sharpness. After all you are importing your love- your street racing car.

Every country sets its own car importing and exporting rules. There is no such standard tariff rate and import duty on cars. They differ from country to country. So it is very important for you to choose, from where you want to import your car. There are some basic guidelines which you should follow before you import your car.

Research
The first thing you should decide before you import a street racing car is the model. You should determine the model you want to buy. With the availability of internet, you have thousands of sites providing you with detailed information about street racing cars. All you need to do is intensive research. You must search for the one which suits you the best budget wise and usage wise. You should compare the prices of the cars within a specific country and among the other countries. This would give you an idea of the lowest price of the car available.

Check Specifications
After you have made your mind on a specific model, check out the standard specification of your car. As specifications vary from country to country, its important for you to compare the different specifications of the same car provided by different countries. You should choose the options you want in your car to keep its price comparatively down.

Shop Around
You should always compare the price of your car in multiple dealers within and outside the countries. You should also check for the retail price of the car, the VAT inclusion, discount on order, deposit required and mode of payment. You should also shop around to find out the import tax you have to pay for importing a car from a certain country to yours. If you have all these information in hand, it would be easier for you to import your car from a country from where it costs less.

Additional Costs
You should never neglect the additional costs which are related to your vehicle import. These additional costs include the ferry tickets, hotel, transit plates, fuel and insurance costs. These costs are very much important which determine the total cost of importing your car.

Buying and Importing Your Car
You should select the mode of the payment which is comfortable to both the dealer and you. While you import your car, you should ask for the written conformation of all financial transactions and agreements. You should know your dealer in detail and ask him to arrange for temporary export or transit plates.

After Importing Your Street Racing Car
Once you have got your street racing car, you should get your vehicle registered locally by a vehicle registration office. Some of the paper work included after your car import is certificate of newness, certificate of conformity, temporary registration plates and documents, temporary insurance certificate, invoice of sale. All these documents are to be obtained by your dealer.

Bad credit car loans are easier to get than ever before, thanks to the growing subprime loan market. Almost half of all car loans today are bad credit loans, in that they are made to borrowers with FICO scores below 620.

Bad Credit Buyers Beware
Bad credit car loans come with slightly higher interest rates, which mean higher profits for car dealers and unwary buyers may wind up spending more than they have to. NADA Chairman Charley Smith admits, We recognize that many consumers may not know that the interest rate may be negotiable or that the dealer may be compensated for obtaining financing.

This is one reason many experts recommend that car buyers use direct financing. This means getting a car loan directly from the lender instead of through the dealer. Not only can they find more competitive rates on bad credit car loans, they can avoid the hassle of going through a dealers high-pressure finance office.

The difference between the interest rate on new or used car loans does not vary that much because used vehicles dont depreciate as quickly as newer models. This makes them better short-term collateral for lenders. The average used car costs less than half of what the average new car does. Thats why they outsell new cars three-to-one. However, choosing a new car gives the buyer more control over optional features, plus a warranty that lasts for years.

Hispanic Car Buyers
Some of the shoppers looking for bad credit car loans are Hispanic. The term loosely refers to all Spanish-speakers. Most Hispanics in the U.S. are descended from immigrants from Mexico and Central America. Our Hispanic population now stands at 41.3 million and is growing three times faster than the general population. Hispanics will number 47.7 million by 2010, and 60.4 million by 2020.

Hispanic buying power is growing at an annual compound rate of 8.2%, nearly twice the rate for non-Hispanics. It is projected to reach $1 trillion annually by 2010. A recent survey by The Media Audit reveals the following interesting facts when it comes to car buying:

Of the 26.1 million Americans planning to buy a vehicle this year, 4.7 million are Hispanic. Of this number, 1.9 million are planning to buy a new car.
While 29.5 percent of all adults surveyed have car loans, just 27.3 percent of all Hispanics have car loans.
Among the 4.8 million adults who plan to spend $30,000 or more on their next car, 830,000 are Hispanic.

Much of the shopping Hispanics do for cars and loans takes place online. A study conducted by eMarketer projects there will be over 16 million Hispanic Internet users in the U.S. by 2007. That equals 8.4% of all Internet users. Hispanics go online at home an average of 9.2 hours a week. Seventy percent say the Internet is the best source for comparing the prices on both cars and loans.

Among the growing number of automotive sites aimed at the Hispanic market is Prestamo Automotriz. The entire site is in Spanish. It includes several helpful articles and an application for a free loan quote. While Prestamo Automotriz specializes in bad credit loans, all credit levels are welcome.

Most banks have strict policies about whom they will lend their money to and for what the money will be used. They will not grant you a car loan for a used car which is older than five years. They charge higher interest rates on loans for used cars than on loans for new cars. And very rarely do they grant loans to people who fall under the subprime category.

A person who is considered a subprime borrower is one who has a blemished credit history. He may not be paying his bills on time or he may overextend his credit card. A subprime borrower is usually someone who has a credit score below 620. If your loan application has been rejected on the grounds that you belong to this credit-unworthy group, does this mean that you cannot borrow anymore?

You may still get a car loan if you will look for lenders that grant financing to subprime borrowers. Avoid finance companies that advertise 1.9% interest**. Notice the sign (**)? Below the big ads, written in fine print, the ** means for prime borrowers only or for people with excellent credit. Clearly you do not belong to this worthy group. People with bad credit will have less privileges when getting a car loan. The interest rates are decidedly high. You may opt to search for online lenders. But there are measures you may take to improve your circumstances.

The first thing to avoid is to rely completely on the car dealer. He will always get a certain percentage out of car loan transactions. In fact, it will be advisable if you are able to secure a car loan before you allow a car dealer to be within a shouting distance from you. When you look for a credit grantor, dont accept the first one you encounter. Compare interest rates offered by lenders, but dont accept the average rates they give. A lender may offer a lower interest rate for a person with a credit score of 800 and a higher interest rate for someone with a score of 600. Ask for specific rates. You may also approach credit unions and banks where you have a current account.

You also have a chance to improve your category by checking your credit report and reforming your credit score. For example, there might be an error in the information found in your credit report. This error may have been the one responsible for the black mark on your credit history. You must immediately have this error corrected by informing the credit bureau in writing.

Credit scores can change. If you pay your bills on time and if you always stay within your budget, then your credit score will likely improve. Once you have a higher number, you may get a lower-rate refinancing for your car loan.

In these days of high gasoline prices, it may seem ridiculous to consider ways to increase your car’s performance as they are almost always associated with increased fuel consumption. However, there are four ways to increase performance that do not have to negatively impact your gas mileage. Let’s take a closer look at each one.

1. Reusable Air Filters. Landfills are stuffed with items we use once and then throw out. Auto air filters are one such item and through the life of a car you can go through 6-12 of them with no problem. For approximately three times the price, washable and reusable air filters are a great alternative. When you purchase one it likely will be the last air filter your car will ever need. Reusable air filters enable you to gain slight increases in horsepower and acceleration as well as to impact the environment in a positive way.

2. Performance Chips. All new cars are operated by a computer chip that tells how much torque and horsepower can be displaced. Performance chips or recalibrations of your current chip can produce significant increases in horsepower and torque for your vehicle.

3. Performance Exhaust Systems. Cat-back or “catalyst-back exhaust systems” are a great way to free up trapped torque and to unleash horsepower. Keeping all the important emissions parts in place, a cat-back system incorporates large width exhaust pipes and low restriction performance mufflers into your car thereby lowering exhaust back pressure. A side benefit is the really awesome sound emitting from the exhaust system.

4. Cold Air Intake. A cold air intake is an under the hood mod that helps to reduce the temperature of the air entering the car for the sole purpose of increasing the power of the engine. Side benefits include enhancements to the appearance of the engine bay as this part can be attractive and colorful; the sound the unit makes is also appealing.

Costs for each of these performance enhancements can vary greatly. Shopping online with a trusted wholesaler is one of the best ways to find top quality parts at the lowest possible prices. By doing the work yourself, you can save a bundle and enjoy the fruits of your labor in no time.